A week after Gai Waterhouse’s Golden Slipper winner Vancouver was beaten first-up by a race-fit Japonisme, the trainer finds herself in a role reversal with the in-form Kimberley Star.
The filly has strung together a hat-trick of wins during the winter and heads into Saturday’s Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick as the seasoned horse.
Kimberley Star
Kimberley Star’s five rivals, which include stablemate Speak Fondly, are either resuming or have had just one run back from a spell.
“She could easily do what Japonisme did last week,” Waterhouse said.
“We didn’t think we’d be beaten with Vancouver and we were, so she could easily do it.”
Early markets have Kimberley Star a $3.70 second pick behind $3.20 favourite Lake Geneva, a dual Group One placegetter as a juvenile who broke her maiden with a soft first-up win at Hawkesbury.
Waterhouse has opted to put blinkers on Magic Night Stakes winner Speak Fondly who has not raced since she finished down the track in the Golden Slipper.
“I’m happy with both fillies. Both fillies are different, one is very fresh and forward and one is very seasoned,” she said.
The trainer also reported Vancouver had come through his San Domenico Stakes run in good order but she was yet to decide whether he would have another run before the Golden Rose.
“He’s great. I haven’t decided if I’m going to go to the Run To The Rose yet, I’ll make my mind up with that in the next little bit,” she said.
